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Amber’s Home and Office Organizing Blog index

Teaching Kids Organization

I just posted a new article on organizing toys and getting kids involved in organizing. Here’s a snipet of that article. For the full version follow this link.

5 Ways to Teach Kids Organization Skills

1. Daily clean up toys with the kids. Notice the word DAILY. If this is done daily, it’s manageable.

2. Be intentional with toys. Keep special or delicate toys that need to be supervised up high - Play Doh, paint, Legos etc. Games and puzzles work high up as well for little ones. They won’t be able to dump them to eventually mix up or loose pieces.

3. Store Toys Logically. Storing toys in a deep large toy box isn’t conducive for kids. Things break at the bottom and kids don’t always take time to dig through 2 feet deep of toys. Toys at the very bottom never get played with because they’re forgotten. Storing small pieces and sets in containers on shelves or in a closet are always helpful. And large items work well just lined up on shelves.

4.Donate toys on a regular basis. Before their birthday and Christmas go through toys. Whether or not your kids help make those decisions is a good question. It’s your decision really. I know it can slow down the process but try to get time involved even if it’s just on a few items. If you start early in their life, your kids can get very good at helping you donate or pitch toys because they are used to mom going through their toys with them.

5. Integrate organization to your daily family routines. The following are small examples to instill organization and responsibility in your children.  

- make their beds before school

- put their laundry in a hamper

- clear their own plate from the table or set the table

- put clothes away

- put their bikes away

-empty their backpack each day

 

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